What is your name and your profession? 

My name is Camilla, and I am licensed as a psychological examiner and school psychologist

What made you choose this line of work? 

I actually majored in English the first time!! I managed book stores for B Dalton and realized that as I moved up the chain there was less book involvement, so I decided to think what else I could do.....I moved to Asheville, NC to manage a store and while I was there I decided to be a children's therapist. I got a masters degree in clinical psychology (NOT HE DEGREE YOU WANT!!) and practiced for about 10 years a as therapist and doing testing for juvenile court etc.

Then, at 35, I finally had a son. I couldn't work 70 hours a week anymore, but I loved my job. I went to see a friend at the local University and he pointed out that I could be certified as a school psychologist with about 12 more hours of graduate work, and I would make the same money and work 9 to 3 9 months a year. I did, and I do!!

Has it been a long life dream? 

Working with kids who need me, yes. Doing paperwork, dealing with politics and the fact that some people really don't like kids at all even though they work with them...no!!!!

Do you find any satisfaction in what you do? 

Lord, yes. I would never leave my son to do something that didn't involve changing the world, it needs it so badly!!!

What kind of benefits do you receive? (Not insurance, vacation, etc.)   I get to help kids with very civil hours that help me be a decent parent too......a huge benefit........

Are there downfalls with this job?  Yes, sometimes I think there isn't much special about special education....and it is discouraging!!!!  I do too much testing and not enough helping because federal rules about evaluations. I miss being a therapist because every day I felt like I maybe saved a life or planted a seed.

Is it a career or just a job?

It's  a career...

Is there a historical(?) figure that you admire in your profession? 

I hate to admit it but psychologists as a whole are not always so admirable........

Where do you draw support from to remain where you are in your career?

I have a great principal, and a network of friend, my husband is great, and my Mom and Dad still think I can do anything!!! I work in the school district where my Mom was a teacher and I love bumping into people who knew her.  They are so great!! 

Could you share a special anecdote about you profession?

My favorite testing story...my first practicum in grad school was a t Buncombe County Juvenile Court in Asheville. I tested kids coming before the court for the first time to make some kind of recommendation to the judge and hopefully catch the ones who really needed treatment.....I had one little car thief and tested him all day. The next week we went to court and his mother screamed at me, "You think you are so smart, you tested him all day and he's not any better yet".....obviously the joke is that testing doesn't help anyone, it just gathers info!

What are you responsibilities? 

I do evaluations to IDEA standards for all children referred at a base school as well as students who are in state custody (my specialty) throughout the system. I assist in ED evaluations (testing to see if a student qualifies for services as Emotionally Disturbed), do limited counseling and interventions,  go to meetings and write a lot of reports!!

I earned a master in clinical psychology at Western Carolina University in 1991, certification as a school psychologist through UT-Chattanooga in 2001, and hope to finish my EDS in school psychology from UT Chattanooga in 2005.  

How long have you been doing this line of work and how has it changed since you've been with it? 

More than 10 years. The biggest change is that restrictions and access to treatment through third party payers (insurance, Medicare Medicaid) had every year placed sicker and sicker kids at home and in foster care rather than hospitals or in treatment. The system is very strained and getting kids into a good therapist is almost impossible depending on coverage.  

What are you goals in your career? 

I hope to get my EDS this spring which will allow me to move if need be to Georgia or a bigger city, and I would love to work more with ED kids again, doing therapy!!

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, Camilla for agreeing to help me out. I, so much, appreciate it.

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